Strap connector



Sept. 16, 1941. R. vOsTER STRAP CONNECTOR Filed July 6, 1959 Jn um 20%. FaMa/zl Wm had? 1% 29 442191}! Patented Sept. 16, 1941 STRAP CONNECTOR Reinhold Viister, Stuttgart, Germany Application July 6, 1939, Serial No. 283,023 In Germany June 9, 1938 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a strap connector, and more particularly one for use with skis, snowshoes, or the like.

An object of this invention is the provision of a simple device for easily, quickly and releasably connecting straps to skis.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device for connecting straps to skis, which will be relatively unaffected by the conditions of use, as by dirt, snow, ice and wear.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an arrangement for connecting straps to skis which avoids dangerous protruding members.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a releasable yet safe arrangement for connecting straps to skis.

A comprehensive object of this invention is the provision of a device which is simple and practical and fulfills all of the objects enumerated above.

Other and additional objects and advantages of the present invention, together with desirable details and of construction and improved combination of parts, will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I @attain these objects by the construction shown in the annexed drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved arrangement, illustrated in connection with its use upon a ski;

Fig. 2 is a side view of my connecting arrangement as seen from the inside, with the strap connector in its position of insertion;

Fig. 3 is a side view of my connecting device with the strap connector in the position of use;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-B of Fig. 2 showing the strap connector in its relationship to the connecting plate before connection has been made; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View along the line A-B of Fig, 2 illustrating the strap connector in its position of use.

The drawing illustrates a ski provided with a connecting plate I, which may preferably be a toe plate to which the strap connector 2 is adapted to be attached. For this purpose, the plate I is provided with a slot 3 consisting preferably of a pair of interconnected circular openings of different diameter, the connecting metal between such opening being preferably provided with an inwardly curved or raised portion, indicated at 4.

The strap connector 2 is preferably provided with means such as an inwardly projecting stud 5 which may have a flattened surface 6. The flattened surface 6 cooperates with the narrow neck 1 between the two circular openings so that when the stud is inserted in the larger of the two circular openings it may then be moved to the smaller when the strap connector is in the position shown in Fig. 2. When, however, the strap connector is in its position of use, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the flattened surface 6 of the stud 5 will be in such a position that it is impossible for the connector to move from the smaller to the larger opening, and thereby be removed from the ski and its connecting plate I.

To further insure a holding of the strap connector in the smaller portion of the slot and prevent the possibility of disconnection, spring means such as a circular leaf spring 8 about the stud 5 may be provided. As will be seen from a study of Figs. 4 and 5, to move the strap connector from the larger portion of the slot to the smaller portion, the spring 8 must be compressed so that the enlarged end of the stud will be able to pass over the inwardly raised portion 4 between the two parts of the opening. When the strap connector has been finally moved to its position of use in the smaller portion of the opening, the spring 8 through its pressure will tend to hold it in place.

It is contemplated that either or both of the safety feature connections above described may be used. It is obvious, however, that'variations thereof may be made without departing from this invention, such as providing an enlarged portion on the neck of the stud 5 instead of the flattened portion 6, which enlarged portion will pass through the opening between the two circular openings only in a predetermined position which is not the position of use for the strap connector.

It is also comprehended, as has been illustrated, in Fig. 1, that the connecting plate I may not be formed as part of the toe plate or other footsupporting structure, but may be attached as a separate unit to the lateral sides of the ski.

It will be obvious to those skilled in this art that the invention is not limited to the use of a strap connection to a ski, but may be applied wherever a releasable but safe strap connection is desired.

It will be noted that the construction shown and described will serve admirably to accomplish the objects stated above. It is to be understood, however, that the construction disclosed above is intended merely as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting, as various modifications thereof may-be made without departing from the invention as defined by a proper interpreta- 5 tion of the claims which follow.

I claim: 1. In a strap connection for ski bindings, in

combination, a plate rigidly attached thereto having a pair of circular openings of different diameters connected by a neck having a pair of substantially plane opposing faces, saidplate hav- 1 ing an inwardly raised portion surrounding said neck, a strap connector adapted to be interconnected with said plate, a stud projecting inwardly from said connector, the free end of which has a diameter larger than that of the smaller opening, whereas the shank of the stud has a diameter smaller than that of either openings but larger than that of the connecting neck, one side of said shank being fiat to decrease the size i and spring means surrounding said stud intermediate said plate and said connector.

2. In a strap connection for ski bindings, in combination, a ski, a toe-plate rigidly attached thereto, having a pair of circular openings of different diameters connected by a neck and being recessed on its inner side about the smaller of said openings to a predetermined depth, a strap connector to be interconnected with said plate, having an inwardly projecting stud provided with a flat end piece having a diameter larger than that of the smaller opening but smaller than that of the larger opening, and a depth which is no greater than the depth of the recess about the smaller opening, whereas the shank of said stud has a dimension smaller than i that of the width of said'neck, and means for resisting movement of said stud from one opening to the other, whereby when said stud is moved to said smaller opening place by said movement-resisting means and the end face of its end piece lies flush or below the inner side of said toe p1ate..

REINHOLD VCSSTER.

it will be there held in Y 

